In 2022, Hardy’s Haulage operates 29 prime movers, mostly Cummins powered Kenworths of various models and ages, along with 58 tipping trailers. Ross Hardy and his son Laeton, along with other family members own and operate the bulk transport operation.
Located at Cudgera Creek near the small town of Pottsville, nestled among the glorious green hills in the coastal fringe of New South Wales’ Far North Coast
Ross maintains that early workshop experience with the Kenworth product convinced him that regular servicing, from day one, is the key to reliability, and that the Kenworth marque is second to none in terms of its rebuildability.
“We’ve been with Kenworth the whole way through, that’s virtually all we’ve ever had, Kenworths powered by Cummins engines,” says Ross.
Ross goes on to say that in his view the brand has come a long way over the last 20 years in terms of improved comfort for the drivers. Furthermore, he contends that this was a necessary progression to ensure his company could retain good drivers, particularly older ones who might have otherwise curtailed their careers with Hardy’s at an earlier date.
“In former times, Kenworths were always touted as a work truck first and foremost and most people just accepted the fact that they weren’t the most comfortable or driver orientated truck,” explains Ross. “That was fine to a point but as we progressed through the ‘90s and into the new millennium, the comfort difference between Kenworth and its competitors was becoming stark and we were having problems recruiting staff because the trucks weren’t as appealing from a driver’s perspective.
“I think it took Kenworth quite a while to recognise that it wasn’t only the reliability factor that mattered, the trucks needed to be just as good for the drivers as they were for the owners.”
According to Ross, particularly with the new T610 models Hardy’s has invested in, Kenworth has clearly achieved this goal and the company plans to keep buying them knowing the legendary Kenworth reliability is now matched with comfort and safety levels comparable with other heavy-duty prime movers.
“In our view the T610 represents a huge step forward for the brand and overall is a far more acceptable truck than the Kenworths of yesteryear in terms of driver comfort and convenience,” says Ross.
